Leavers’ hoodie colours 2025: What’s hot this year?
At Kall Kwik Bury St Edmunds, and our sister company Recognition Express Suffolk, we’ve had another fantastic year helping schools across the region create unforgettable leavers' hoodies.
Posted on: July 8th 2025 • Posted in: Clothing, Recognition Express Suffolk
Whether it’s for Year 6 or Year 11, our hoodies are more than just garments; they’re keepsakes that carry memories. And in 2025, the colour choices have been particularly telling of the trends and tastes among school leavers.
So, what colours have been flying off the shelves this year? Let’s dive into the data.
1. Blue – The undisputed favourite
Taking a strong lead, blue hoodies made up nearly 45% of all our orders this year. Whether it’s navy, royal, or a softer sky blue, this colour has clearly captured the hearts of students and teachers alike. It’s classic, it’s versatile, and it works perfectly with bold white or contrast-colour prints. Safe to say, blue remains a timeless staple in the school hoodie world.
2. Black – sleek and stylish
Coming in second with just over 21%, black continues to be a solid choice. Its modern, minimalist appeal makes it a popular pick, particularly for secondary school leavers looking for something that feels mature yet cool. Plus, black is a dream for customising with bright print colours, making logos and names pop.
3. Grey – casual comfort
With 19% of orders, grey hoodies are the quiet contenders. Soft, cosy, and neutral, grey offers a comforting middle ground between light and dark tones. It’s a practical option that looks great in group photos and pairs well with almost any print design.
4. Red – bold and bright
Red brought the energy this year, accounting for just over 8% of orders. It’s a vibrant, eye-catching choice often picked by schools with red in their branding or sports kits. For students looking to stand out, red delivers that confident, celebratory feel.
5. Green – A niche favourite
Green rounded out the top five, representing just under 4% of our sales. From forest green to pastel mint, it’s often chosen by schools that want to break away from the norm or highlight their eco-conscious ethos.
Single Colour vs contrast hoodies: What’s the preference?
One of the most interesting trends this year wasn’t just what colours students chose, but how they styled them. In 2025, nearly 18% of our leavers’ hoodie orders were for contrast hoodies, featuring a two-tone design (with contrasting inner linings and drawcord).
These contrast styles are perfect for schools wanting something more visually striking and unique, especially when paired with bold prints or logos. That said, the classic single-colour hoodie still dominates the scene, making up the remaining 82% of orders. Simplicity, it seems, still has a strong appeal, especially when consistency across a year group is a priority.
Top blue hoodie colours in 2025
Among the wide range of blue tones we offer, a few stood out as clear favourites:
- Royal Blue – Royal Blue brings the brightness and energy you’d expect from a classic.
- Airforce Blue – this moody, muted blue has a smart, military-inspired look that appeals to both primary and secondary schools.
- Ink Blue – A cool, pastel option, Ice Blue proved popular among younger year groups looking for a softer, more playful feel.
- Cornflower Blue – this mid-tone blue offered a fresh, spring-like vibe.
- Sky Blue – Another gentle shade, perfect for schools looking for a calm and cheerful look.
Whether it was dark, bright, soft or contrast, blue was clearly the colour of 2025.
Primary vs Secondary Schools: A tale of two tastes
We also noticed clear differences in colour choices between primary and secondary school leavers:
Primary school preferences
- Blue was the top pick, chosen by 70% of primary schools.
- Red and Green also featured strongly—bolder, more cheerful colours often linked to house teams or school branding.
- Lighter and brighter colours like Pink, Orange, and Purple were more commonly chosen here, reflecting a playful, celebratory vibe.
Secondary school trends
- Blue still came out on top, but deeper shades were favoured over lighter blues.
- Black and Grey closely followed, suggesting a shift toward neutral, mature tones.
- Secondary schools generally leaned toward more subtle, “grown-up” aesthetics, ideal for students preparing for sixth form or college.
Why colour choice matters, and what it says about today’s students
At Kall Kwik Bury St Edmunds, we don’t just offer hoodies, we offer choice. And when it comes to leavers’ hoodies, the choice of colour is one of the most personal and powerful decisions a school or student group can make.
That’s why we’re proud to offer such a wide spectrum of colours, from traditional shades like navy, black, and grey to vibrant tones like ice blue, red, mint green, and even pastel lilac. But this isn’t just about aesthetics. It’s about self-expression, identity, and giving young people a voice in how they represent themselves during one of the most memorable milestones of their school lives.
Supporting schools with flexibility and style
For schools, having access to a broad range of hoodie colours means they can reflect their own identity too, whether it’s staying aligned with school branding or allowing pupils to vote on favourites.
From primary schools choosing cheerful, vibrant tones to secondary schools leaning into more modern, minimalist shades, we’ve seen firsthand how important this variety is. It gives students a sense of ownership and pride in their leavers’ hoodies, and helps schools honour what makes each year group unique.
Looking Ahead to 2026
Whether your students are traditionalists or trendsetters, our huge range of hoodie colours and styles gives you the flexibility to create something that’s truly “them.” Planning early gives you the best choice, so if you’re ready to start designing your school’s 2026 leavers’ hoodies, our team at Kall Kwik Bury St Edmunds is ready to help.
Contact us today to explore colour swatches, sizing, and print options!
